I thought I would start a thread on this subject, rather than derail the 'kicks in aikido' thread. eyrie, I was wondering if you could expand on this:

Quote:IOW, the question is not what other forms of practice (e.g. standing post etc.) that could be included, but WHAT is being practiced, and HOW to practice "it". It's kinda like saying the form of taiji is what develops the internal elements (which isn't true BTW), rather than developing the internal elements which are outwardly expressed in the form of one's taiji (or Aikido, or Karate, or insert other art).

I would suggest that the WHAT is already in Aikido, but the HOW is generally what's missing - and I appreciate the reasons WHY that may be.

a little more.

Theorizing, why do you think the 'how's' are missing (did I just write that, lol )?

This is a subject I've been thinking about a lot lately, and would love to hear yours, and anyone else's opinion.

--Chris

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"Seek not to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought."--Basho

iaibear, a 'standing post' is the English translation of the Chinese 'Zhan Zhuang'. It's also called 'standing like a tree', or, even, my favorite (and the one I tell people in the park when they ask me what I'm doing) 'tree hugging'. They are a series of postures meant to develop internal strength. There are many different theories out there as to what precisely they are working: some say muscles, some the fascia, others say tendons and ligaments, some all of the above. In reality, from my small amount of knowledge on this subject, there are different 'sets' to work different things.

I only know a few postures, but I find them relaxing, and a good way to check your body for areas of tension.

As far as they relate to Aikido, there are pictures of O'sensei performing what looks like Standing Posts (for an easy to find source check out 'Secrets of Aikido', although there isn't anything actually said about them!).

Some Koryu styles seem to have these as well (like certain schools of Daito Ryu), and chances are O'sensei learned them from those sources.

--Chris

_________________________
"Seek not to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought."--Basho

Quote:No. I don't think so. There's a lot more to it than mere repetition...

Yes, I guess 'repetition' wasn't the right word there.

I guess what I'm getting at is there crossover between the lessons learned through the standing that can inform the waza? And are those lessons easier to learn by being static and focusing on what's going on inside?

--Chris

_________________________
"Seek not to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought."--Basho